Football preview: Cocoa at St. Thomas Aquinas

Could this be the year the Tigers get past the Raiders?

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- 357 days ago, Cocoa and St. Thomas Aquinas faced off at Brian Piccolo Stadium. 

Now the two teams match up once again at the same location and will a similar result transpire? 

The Raiders got by the Tigers 42-14 behind a 205-yard passing effort by Hezekiah Harris, who threw three touchdowns against Cocoa. St. Thomas Aquinas rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries last year, which has always been the bread and butter of their offense. 

This season, it was kind of a rough start for the Raiders in a 20-7 loss to St. John Bosco (California) in this year’s opener. St. Thomas Aquinas had a difficult time getting anything going on the ground as there were held to 61 yards. 

The Raiders totaled 161 yards of offense against one of the country’s top programs, but they bounced back in a 49-0 win over Fort Myers at home. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1) put together 443 yards versus Fort Myers and it was an all around effort on offense. 

First-year starting quarterback Andrew Indorf has completed 20-of-30 passes for 236 yards, four touchdowns. Indorf has had the luxury of having two future Power Five receivers out wide with James Madison II (Missouri commitment) and Chance Robinson. 

Madison II last season hauled in 19 passes for 407 yards and six touchdowns and is at seven catches for 85 this year. Robinson has caught five catches for 74 yards and two scores. 

Getting the run game going behind a completely revamped offensive line will be key against Cocoa’s formidable front seven unit. Through two games, the Raiders have totaled 329 yards on 36 attempts, with running back Jordan Lyle leads all runners with 172 yards. 

Aquinas linebacker Nick Rodriguez is another Missouri commitment and spearheads a very talented defensive group. Rodriguez is second on the team in tackles with 14. Safety Ryan Mack, a Miami (FL) commit, heads up a defensive backfield that is stock full of talent. 

Cocoa (2-0) enters the game coming off an impressive 31-21 victory over Venice and it was the coming out party for sophomore quarterback Brady Hart. The signal caller threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns against the Indians and has filled in just nicely for Blake Boda. 

Through two games, Hart has thrown for 531 yards and five touchdowns. Now he will have to do it against a stout Aquinas defensive secondary. It’s been no secret that Hart’s top target is wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, who has caught 14 passes for 262 yards and three scores. Other receivers to watch as well are CJ Bragg and Nicholas Teeter. 

Defensively for the Tigers, everything starts for Ryan Schneider’s unit in the front seven. Anchoring the linebacking corps is Daiveon Parham (24 tackles) and Samadrae Hawkins (24 tackles). 

The key cog that the Tigers will rely upon on the defensive line itself is 6-foot-1, 275-pound tackle Da’Varrius Robertson, who has six tackles for loss and two sacks. 

This game will come down to which team can limit the mistakes as each offense has begun to really find themselves as the season moves forward. 

ANDY’S PREDICTION: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Cocoa 31 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl